Determination of Plaque Distribution in Intravascular Ultrasound Imaging: Visualization of an Unfolded Artery

Abstract

A novel three-dimensional intravascular ultrasound (3D IVUS) reconstruction algorithm was developed to provide volumetric 3D visualization of plaque distribution across an unfolded artery. An arterial phantom was utilized to validate the nonlinear interpolation technique to generate intermediary IVUS images. Following the intermediary IVUS image generation, volumetric 3D IVUS visualization was performed. Smooth transitional changes in shape and grayscale were found between the intermediary and original slices. Volumetric 3D IVUS visualization of the unfolded curved artery provided realistic luminal surface images with physiologic grayscale information. This novel 3D IVUS visualization strategy has the potential to help with assessment of 3D plaque distribution across the curved arterial structure.